In May, it was reported that over 1000 internal migrant construction workers employed by mining company Zemtek were left unpaid for months in Chukotka.

Reporting says the workers who refused to continue to work without pay were denied food for 36 hours.

Around 400 workers were flown to Magadan after a labour rights activists called law enforcement officials, taking out loans to pay for the tickets. However, around 700 workers allegedly remain “stranded” in the region after Zemtek cancelled their scheduled evacuation flights.

The workers are temporary, and are flown to wok on sites instead of being permanently relocated with their families. Zemtek has reportedly pledged to repay the back wages.

In June, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Zemtek to respond to the allegations. It did not respond.